BJP MP from Himachal's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut sparked a row with her comments by suggesting that the farmers' protests could have led to a "Bangladesh-like situation" if the government had not taken strong measures
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday distanced itself from actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut’s statement on farmers’ protest while Congress demanded her apology.
The BJP MP from Mandi sparked a row over her remark claiming that farmers’ protests could have led to a “Bangladesh-like situation” if the central government had not taken strong measures.
Ranaut’s comments came at a time when Assembly elections are around the corner in Haryana. Farmers from Haryana and Punjab were leading massive protests against now-withdrawn farm laws in 2020 and camped at borders of Delhi for more than a year.
Distancing itself from the Mandi MP’s remarks, the BJP said in an official statement, “The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers’ movement is not the opinion of the party. BJP disagrees with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut. On behalf of the party, Kangana Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues.”
The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers’ movement is not the opinion of the party. BJP disagrees with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut. On behalf of the party, Kangana Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party… pic.twitter.com/DXuzl3DqDq— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to following the principles of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ and social harmony,” the statement added.
‘Bangladesh-like Anarchy…’: Kangana Ranaut
“Bangladesh-like anarchy could have happened in India also like in the name of Farmers protest. Outside forces are planning to destroy us with the help of insiders. If it hadn’t been the foresight of our leadership they would have succeeded,” Kangana Ranaut was heard saying in a video shared on microblogging site X.
Kangana Ranaut: Bangladesh like anarchy could have happened in India also like in the name of Farmers protest. Outside forces are planning to destroy us with the help of insiders. If it wouldn’t have been foresight of our leadership they would have succeded. pic.twitter.com/05vSeN8utW— Megh Updates ™ (@MeghUpdates) August 25, 2024
She also blamed vested interests and “foreign powers” for the continuation of the protests even after the laws were repealed.
“What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. There is a conspiracy by foreign powers and these filmy people thrive on it. They don’t care if the country goes to the dogs,” Kangana alleged.
Kangana Called Farmers ‘Murderers, Rapists’: Congress
Congress Social Media Chairperson Supriya Shrinate said Ranaut called the country’s farmers “murderers and rapists”. She asked the BJP to remove Ranaut from the party.
“Yesterday, a very ridiculous statement was heard, which made people hang their heads in shame and become angry. Kangana Ranaut is an expert in making such statements, but now she is not just a film actress but a BJP MP. Yesterday, Kangana Ranaut called the country’s farmers murderers and rapists. Hardly any politician would have used such words for the food providers of this country. He also said that America and China were trying to spread instability in the country by organizing farmers’ protests,” she said at a press conference.
कल एक बेहद वाहियात बयान सुनने को मिला, जिसे सुनकर लोगों का सिर शर्म से झुक गया और लोग आक्रोशित हुए।ऐसे बयान देने में कंगना रनौत को पारगंत हासिल है, लेकिन अब वो सिर्फ फिल्म एक्ट्रेस नहीं, BJP की सांसद हैं।
कंगना रनौत ने कल देश के किसानों को हत्यारा और बलात्कारी कहा। इस देश के… pic.twitter.com/NNsiaHbDOF
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 26, 2024
Taking a subtle jibe at the Mandi MP, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala asked her “Get well soon”.
Surjewala wrote on X, “After all, why do BJP people hate the country’s food providers so much? The BJP has always lied, deceived, conspired, and oppressed our farmers. And once again a BJP MP has made baseless allegations against our food providers. The question is, has Kangana made this cheap allegation against the farmers as per the BJP’s election strategy?”
The Congress leader who hails from Haryana also asked, “Were these just Kangana’s words or did someone else copy them? If not, why are the Prime Minister of the country, the Chief Minister of Haryana, and all the BJP MPs and MLAs silent on this issue?”
When Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was questioned on Ranaut’s remarks, he refused to comment and said “it was her personal opinion”.
‘Shameful Anti-farmer Statements’: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led central government of not only failing to fulfil the promises made to the farmers but also insulting them.
Reacting to Kangana’s statements, Gandhi said in an X post, “The BJP MP calling the farmers who sacrificed 700 comrades during the 378-day marathon struggle as rapists and representatives of foreign forces is another proof of the BJP’s anti-farmer policy and intentions. These shameful anti-farmer statements are a gross insult to the farmers of the entire country, including western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”
“The government committee formed at the time of withdrawing the farmers’ movement is still in cold storage, the government has not been able to clarify its stand on MSP till date, no relief has been given to the families of the martyred farmers and on top of that, their character assassination is continuing. The betrayal of farmers by the Modi government cannot be hidden by disrespecting the food providers and attacking their dignity. No matter how much Narendra Modi and BJP conspire, INDIA will ensure legal guarantee of MSP for farmers,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
